Acetogenic fibers reduce fasting glucose turnover but not peripheral insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome patients

Abstract

Background & aims: The acute ingestion of an acetogenic indigestible carbohydrate (lactulose) increased acetate turnover associated with decreased lipolysis (glycerol turnover) in insulin-resistant patients. It is not known whether a decreased lipolysis by chronic ingestion of acetogenic indigestible carbohydrates or fibers improves glucose turnover and insulin sensitivity.

Methods: Twenty-one men with metabolic syndrome ingested daily standardized drinks, with or without 28 g acetogenic fibers (acacia gum and pectin), for 5 weeks in a randomized double-blind crossover controlled study design. Euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic (EH) clamps coupled with kinetic studies were performed in the fasting state after treatments.

Results: Flatulence was more frequent with fiber treatment. Body weight, lipids as well as acetate and glycerol turnovers were unchanged. Fasting endogenous glucose turnover was improved after fiber treatment (7.9 ± 1.3 μmol kg(-1) min(-1)) compared with control (8.6 ± 1.6 μmol kg(-1) min(-1), P < 0.05). But insulin sensitivity (glucose infusion rate) during the EH clamp was not different at the end of fiber and control treatments, 3.7 ± 1.8 and 3.8 ± 1.5 mg kg(-1) min(-1), respectively, nor fasting plasma glucose and insulin.

Conclusions: The chronic ingestion of acacia gum and pectin fibers did not decrease lipolysis but improved fasting endogenous glucose turnover with no effect on peripheral insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome patients.